Risperidone for Schizophrenia User Reviews
Brand names: Risperdal, Uzedy, Risperdal Consta, Perseris, Risvan, Rykindo
Risperidone has an average rating of 5.2 out of 10 from a total of 135 reviews for the treatment of Schizophrenia. 34% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 39% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Risperidone
- Anonymous
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- September 2, 2018
Risperdal Consta (risperidone) "Can't play sports anymore on med. Can't think straight. Constantly tired. Don't even have enough drive to bathe myself. This drug suppresses me in all aspects. The schizophrenia isn't even that bad in comparison to this. It's torture being on this. One day society will see how bad we were mistreated."
- Anonymous
- June 16, 2009
Risperdal (risperidone) "I used to hear voices on a daily basis, especially when I was near a fan or running water. The noise turned into words. Since I have been on Risperdal, I have had a significant decrease in the voices to where they are almost gone. If I don't get any sleep or I am really stressed out, the voices come back, so I try to get plenty of sleep and avoid stressful situations. I give Risperdal an A. The first week on Risperdal, I was extremely sleepy. It was really hard to wake up, but now I am fine, and my body has adapted to the medication. You should try it. The peace of mind I get from Risperdal is priceless. I used to think my thoughts were being broadcast out loud, and now my own thoughts are much quieter."
Frequently asked questions
- puppy...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- February 20, 2020
Risperdal (risperidone) "I was admitted to the hospital and prescribed Risperdal. I recently went from 3 mg to 2 mg. I've been having really bad swallowing issues on this med, and we're hoping the lower dose helps with this. Otherwise, a great medicine for me. I've been active in the community and able to control some of my unusual thoughts. I would recommend this medication, but be cautious of the side effects. I've been on the med for 2 years now. I gained 40 lbs and remarkably, I was able to lose 50 lbs since starting Risperdal."
- Job
- January 21, 2012
Risperdal (risperidone) "I smoked a lot of marijuana as a young man. Me being a late bloomer, I think it affected my brain chemistry. One day I felt an explosion in my head, after that I started hearing voices and became really paranoid. I finally admitted that I needed help, after seeing that I couldn't hold a job, snapped at people, starting fights with people for no reason, insane thoughts and a brain I couldn't control, I was prescribed Risperdal for schizophrenia, Ativan for anxiety, and benztropine for side effects, all these medications for what my kind doctor called a brain disorder. Stopped paranoid thoughts, delusions, gained social skills back. No libido, 15 lbs weight gain in a month, but feel sane again. Seems to work for 7 hours, then paranoid again."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Hef
- April 12, 2019
Risperdal (risperidone) "I was forced to end taking Haldol 2.5 mg/night after 27 1/2 years - over 10,000 days - because they stopped making it. I was prescribed Risperdal. I started at 2 mg a day, and they reduced the dosage to 1 mg. I also stopped Cogentin and Prozac because of strong discomfort. After around 40-50 days of Risperdal, I didn't sleep as well and felt utterly horrible, like a zombie - like it was torturing and destroying my brain. I came to my senses and rid myself of all medication whatsoever, since it seemed to be harming my brain and not helping me sleep, and have recovered from all mental illness in about 5 days and am getting somewhat less sleep but feel a lot better overall. So the medicine was good in that it convinced me to get rid of it and all medication and completely recover. I believe people who take Risperdal should be reviewed after 30-50 days or so and given the option to stop taking it and maybe all medication if they have horrible, zombie-like side effects like I did."
- Meh
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- January 19, 2019
Risperdal (risperidone) "Just my experience; your mileage may vary. Odd tunnel vision as it takes effect. After about 2 weeks, expect your wife to be very “unsatisfied.” If your job involves mental math or coding, this will become much more challenging. It dulls your emotions even beyond what your horrible affliction will. I became an impotent robot with no processing power. The cure, at least for me, was worse than the disease. I have since learned to ignore, or at least recognize and not take them as absolute reality. Mental gymnastics and proper training are equally effective; the side effects of Risperdal are life-altering in a bad way."
- mom...
- October 11, 2010
Risperdal (risperidone) "I'm very frustrated right at the moment. My son, who is 37 years old, has been on risperdal for 5 years. Now he decides he doesn't need it anymore. Well, the voices are totally out of control. He can't even hear me when I talk to him because the voices are so loud. He doesn't sleep, he talks constantly to them. I just wish he would take the medication. We've been dealing with this for 17 years, so I do know that this medication works to quieten the voices."
- My...
- September 14, 2011
Risperdal (risperidone) "My son had severe acute psychosis and a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia at age 17. Risperdal (Risperidone) brought him back to his normal self, for the most part. He has put on weight (2 trouser sizes bigger) and he is inclined to rock back and forth a little when seated. He is slightly less motivated and says he doesn't retain information as he used to at school. This may be improved by adjusting the dose. But this medicine gave me my son back and seems well-tolerated by him. The psychosis is completely gone."
- awano
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- July 17, 2018
Risperdal (risperidone) "This is a life-destroying drug. I have anger issues, and this drug was mixed in my food by my family. I couldn't read a book, enjoy music, or watch TV. My thought process became impaired. I suffered from the worst kind of akathisia, endlessly walking for seven months and had suicidal thoughts. I became drowsy, lost all motivation, and couldn't care about anything. I was able to come off it after a great struggle and remained drug-free for eleven years and was able to enjoy all the things I couldn't because of this drug. Unfortunately, however, my siblings have again mixed it in my food as I had to stay with them. All the side effects are back, and life feels like a nightmare devoid of purpose again."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- January 11, 2020
"I’m helpless as I can’t think anymore. There is no more excitement! There was a time when I’d feel happy about nature. I loved going for walks, when I was in London, I’d go out. I was in bliss. Suddenly I’m sinking... it’s helping me so much by removing psychotic thoughts (all gone), yet it’s ruining my happiness. I ask: Is there an alternative? I want my happiness back, I want to be able to exercise again, I don’t want that fear of going out, I want to be able to think as I read... I’ve lost interest in movies, music, studies, and sports. Has anyone felt so tired on it? Has anyone been sprawled on bed like me the whole day doing nothing?"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- March 1, 2020
"I was put on this about 2 years ago! I was hearing things and seeing things and completely lost my mind and was admitted, and this is what they put me on! At the time, it saved my life and made me feel normal again! But as time went on, I noticed I didn’t get excited about anything anymore, I had no emotions! I gained a lot of weight, I went from 150 to 210 lbs. I stopped having periods. It made me have the worst anxiety ever. I’m currently weaning myself off of it! Come to find out, I had an overactive thyroid and had radiation done and was told I can come off this medicine! So it was my thyroid that made me go crazy and put on this medicine! I’m glad to say I’m coming off of it! I’m ready to enjoy life and have my feelings back! Hope this helps someone!"
- Jace
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 2, 2019
Risperdal (risperidone) "I have psychosis NOS (not otherwise specified), and I am currently taking 2 mg once daily. My temperament is better. I am not as easily agitated and sleep better at night. Prior to Risperdal, I had severe insomnia and was easily moved to anger. On the downside, I gained 20 lbs in about 2 months, my affect is flat, and my energy level is very low. I force myself to exercise, but I seem to be experiencing muscle tiredness and some coordination problems. I plan to speak with my doctor for med adjustment."
- Learn...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- July 29, 2019
Risperdal (risperidone) "I started out on 1 mg and went all the way up to 4 mg, then all the way back down to 1 mg again. Currently staying at 1 mg in order to have semi-normal cognitive function. When I went up to 4 mg, I was catatonic for 6 months until the dose got lowered down to 1 mg. Everyone is different, but it felt like it shut my whole brain down, the bad AND the good. Good luck."
- Charl...
- August 16, 2017
Risperdal (risperidone) "Risperdal has made my life manageable again. I suffer from PTSD and schizophrenia primarily with thought disorder (although I have hallucinated and heard voices). I used to scream in my sleep and thought everyone was trying to kill me. When I started Risperdal, the terrifying thoughts stopped and my behavior returned to normal. I take Risperdal with a combination of gabapentin and Zoloft. I now have a very good job and good relationships with my friends, family, and co-workers. There are downsides to this drug, such as weight gain. I gained a lot of weight the first two years I started taking Risperdal. It is important to note that I have since lost a good bit of the weight I gained."
- Hopel...
- December 14, 2016
Risperdal (risperidone) "I don't have schizophrenia, I am undiagnosed. I was having issues with family and certain things in my life. Taking this medication made me feel worse with most of my symptoms. I had moments where I felt over-tranquilized and trouble communicating how I really felt. I know I felt better before the medication. Now that I am off of it, my list of negative side effects is quite large. I wouldn't recommend this medication to anyone, especially if you have an endless diagnosis in the first place. Be careful believing what your doctors say. They get all of their recommendations from pharmaceutical companies. Once I was off of this medication, doctors refused to listen to me. They just recommended I take it again or take other drugs. They refuse to admit their mistakes. They refuse to acknowledge anything."
- someone
- March 14, 2013
Risperdal Consta (risperidone) "I've been on this injection for nearly 3 years. At first, it seemed like it wasn't working, and after going off my medications once before, I didn't find that there was much of a change. But after 3 months or so, I started sleeping at night peacefully without the constant confusion and voices in my head. I also had started doing a better job at work and was able to focus on doing simple tasks, which then seemed impossible."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- February 5, 2019
Risperdal (risperidone) "This has helped a lot for my daughter's hallucinations. She was not diagnosed with schizophrenia, so her hallucinations are related to either her epilepsy or something else. There have been a couple of times where she stopped taking it because she felt better, but then the hallucinations would come back. She had to go on the highest dose after she stopped taking it the first time, so if you find this works for you or a loved one, just make sure they don't stop abruptly."
- HannaKK
- March 21, 2017
Risperdal (risperidone) "I wish I could give Risperidal/Risperidone 0 stars. Worst medication I've ever had to take. Made me so exhausted despite getting 12 hours of sleep a night and made me gain 30 lbs. This medication slapped the heart right out of me, and I was a zombie, devoid of any emotion for months. I wouldn't slip this to my worst enemy."
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 24, 2023
"Really awful drug! It made my legs very rigid and I had Parkinson-type symptoms. I also had difficulty sleeping. I would fall asleep easily but I would wake up every night and I couldn't fall back asleep no matter what I tried."
- anony...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- May 11, 2021
Risperdal (risperidone) "I have to say that some of us have nothing better to do with our time than just writing anonymous reviews with our creative nom de plumes. I have read many of such reviews on many websites and I have come to the conclusion that many of them are reflections of the user's mind. Some say they have an increased appetite while others say the exact opposite! Strange. This is why I would like to say that Risperidone has made me gain weight because I now have a ravenous appetite; it made me tired the whole day until I was put on Fluoxetine by my shrink who took so long to tell me that Fluoxetine removes the tiredness (partly). Early mornings are the worst - it is as though I am flooded with demonic thoughts of not having to bathe. Brilliant way to start the day. Joanna Moncrieff is right about some things but she gets it wrong when she calls this drug as having a 'placebo' effect. Not really. It has removed all my delusions and hallucinations."
- Daza2j
- November 9, 2008
Risperdal Consta (risperidone) "This medicine, although it has to be administered by IM every 2 weeks, has been wonderful. I've been on it almost 2 years now. My husband gives me my injections at home. I don't even think I have experienced any side effects. I am more focused and relaxed and not as flat."
- jano
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 4, 2021
Risperdal (risperidone) "this medication saved my life, I was dealing with psychosis PTSD and derealization like was suffering 24/7. This medication made life bearable I still have some times where I don’t feel the best, but nothing compared to what I was dealing with. The side effects were pretty ruff the first week or two but I was also very sick but I pushed through since again they were nothing compared to what I was dealing with. This medication was my last straw I tried everything now I don’t know what I would do without it."
- xcore...
- March 2, 2009
Risperdal (risperidone) "I don't really believe I have an issue. I do admit I hear voices and see things other people can't, but I don't believe they're hallucinations. Anyways, when taking this medication, the voices went away, the walls stopped melting, things stopped changing color, people weren't after me as much, and stuff. It didn't take the visuals away 100%, and I was less afraid. It didn't help my mood as much as it should have (I also have mood problems)."
- Fujh
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- January 3, 2023
"I lost the ability to even cut up a piece of fruit. I can’t do any chores in the house. In fact, I can’t do anything and I’m supposed to think that my psychotic state is worse than this! I prefer my psychosis to this! I would rather have to take it for 1 year than 2 years! I feel absolutely horrible, and I am forced into having it. It is utterly bad. I just wish I hadn’t smoked weed when I was in college. I got schizophrenia from that I know for a fact. I think shrinks need to be given this medicine so that they know what they are dealing with!"
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Risperdal (risperidone) "Risperidone saved my life. Before it, I was suffering from delusions, and I was paranoid all the time. But ever since being put on 2mg, all the delusions have stopped, and I can function like a normal human being. I've had no side effects whatsoever. I was scared of starting risperidone because of all the negative reviews, but it is honestly the best antipsychotic I have tried (and I've tried three). I haven't put on weight, I haven't got an increased appetite, I am not drowsy, I am not lazy or zombie-like, and I am not lactating."